Disclaimer – I only own the story, nothing else, it seems. Many thanks and appreciation to all who continue to read this missive and especially to those who take the time to review:0)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The Temper That Almost Ate Manhattan

by reinbeauchaser

Chapter 7 – Man-Eater

Seriously, Raphael thought for sure his heart would beat right out of his chest! Even though the protagonist in Splinter's story was sitting right in front of him, the turtle was still on edge with his father's account. Every story Splinter shared with Raph and his brothers had always grabbed their attention, except for when they knew a punishment soon followed. Then, they just wanted to get it over with and get on with whatever discipline the rat had in mind for them.

As it was, Raph didn't know if this story would end with such consequences, all things considered. Yet, if Splinter kept to his normal way of doing things, it would be punishment enough for Raphael, where he had sat for so very long. It was a given that by now, his tail was so numb, he could probably cut it off and not feel anything for a week.

Much to his woes, though, the turtle found the story stalling like the proverbial cliffhanger.

Splinter's pause did nothing but make his son more anxious, too. Raphael waited, watching his father and then he waited some more. Soon, he noticed a glazed expression wash over the rat's face, as if the master had become lost in his own account. Splinter's faraway look told Raphael that his father was apparently thinking about what he had just shared.

When Splinter had come to the point in the story where he admitted his error, it caused him to reflect a bit. He had always tried to make every decision and action count. The master had done his best to avoid making such costly mistakes as the one he had made so long ago. Even though he'd be the first to admit with being imperfect, to recall such a time where his anger almost cost him and his family their lives, seemed unforgivable. Yet, he also knew it was a story that needed telling, that is if his son sitting before him would ever understand the importance of self-control.

After a few more seconds, Raphael rolled his eyes and impatiently asked, effectively interrupting his father's train of thought, "Okaaay, sooo…what happened next, Sensei?"

"Hmm?" his father asked, seemingly unaware that he had stopped talking, "Oh, yes, I had made a mistake…and…" He paused again, wondering if he was repeating himself and to assess the next part in the story, but Raphael thought his father had once again drifted off.

Chuckling, the turtle remarked, "Yes, that's what you just said, but what happened after that?"

"I'm sorry, Raphael, I must have become distracted," Splinter nodded and then took a breath to begin again, "Anyway, I had made an error in judgment and I found myself facing the sharp end of Saki's sword. I told you a moment ago that I had not trained yet in the art of ninjitsu. I did remember much of what Yoshi did, but had neither time nor the opportunity to put any of it into practice…until that very moment.

"As my body hurtled towards the man and as I came into his line of sight, the shadows no longer concealed me. It was obvious by Saki's immediate expression that I was the last thing he expected! If it were not for that, I very well might have died that night. Nevertheless, Saki's reaction was what saved my life."

Splinter nodded, as if confirming that thought, and then he continued, "Oruku Saki's shock caused him to turn slightly, but it was just enough to compromise his wazikashi's position. As Saki's body jerked in surprise to see such a large, oversized rat leaping up at him, his weapon angled away from me. Its new position allowed me to place my feet up against the flat part of the blade and propel myself away from harm, an instinctive move that was more than just species related. In that moment, Raphael, I felt something take root. My memories and my transformation became one in that moment. It was an exhilarating experience and an awakening that surprised me. Yet it would be several months before I could begin my training. Where we lived, there was very little room for such activity. Still, soon after my attack on Saki, though, and once we settled elsewhere, my interest to master ninjitsu was born.

"In any event, in that moment, my appearance frightened him and, almost as if I had an epiphany, I knew the reason why." Splinter hesitated again, but this time deliberately, as he cocked one eyebrow and waited to see if his son might understand the truth behind his words.

Raphael noticed the break in the story, but it was different from the last time. It was how his father behaved whenever he had a moral to impart, so, Raphael tried to answer the unasked question, "Because…you were big?"

Splinter shook his head 'no', but remained silent.

"Great," Raph mumbled, "he wants me to play Sherlock, now." He sighed and tried again, "Because…Saki wasn't expecting you?"

Splinter sighed, almost impatiently, "No, and I already stated that he wasn't."

Raphael furrowed his brow, thinking, thinking, and…thinking some more. Finally, his eyes brightened as he had a thought, "Because…he was afraid – of rats!"

"Precisely!" Splinter smiled and eagerly launched back into his story, "and I knew then that I had some sort of victory. My attack on him months earlier, right after he killed my master and Tang Shen, must have created an underlying phobia. A ninja might fear, but he never reacts to his fears. He is master of his environment and in that moment, I knew that Saki was not. He would, of course, overcome it, but not for many years.

"As I landed a few feet away, I turned back towards him, unwilling to cow to his size or be intimidated by the fact that he still carried a weapon. My anger now had a purpose and I was determined to follow its path, no matter where it took me. Knowing his fear, now, I planned on taking full advantage of it. I challenged him, snarling and snapping my teeth…and he cowed, if only for a brief second! Although fully exposed under the street lamp, I did not care. I could smell his fear and was half tempted to speak to him, if only to frighten him more."

"Did you?" Raphael asked eagerly.

"No. Once again, I knew I was already a thing of curiosity and if I did speak, I was smart enough to understand that humans would not rest until they had captured me. It was enough I allowed someone to see me. Even in my rage, I still worried about the four of you.

"However, Saki only allowed a momentary lapse in composure, because in the next moment, he had thrown his sword at me. I barely dodged out of the way, with the weapon lodging itself deep into a storefront wall behind me. I then charged at the man's legs. I was as big as a small dog, but because I was a rodent, my very uniqueness added to the man's fears. However, he managed to jump out of the way, using his ninjitsu skills, and cursed me, calling me a demon rat." Splinter smiled at that, "and for all intents and purposes, that is what I was.

"Unfortunately, in my anger and rage, I hadn't noticed the 'other' person, a female, and when she saw me, she screamed. She was obviously not ninja, but one of those women of the night I had seen on other occasions. I knew then that Saki had other plans that evening, and I had interrupted them.

"Nevertheless, with my quarry and goal so temptingly close, I ignored my instincts to run and hide. I continued my attack against Saki, snapping and leaping at his legs, confident my size alone would be enough to compromise his confidence. I remained on all fours, because it allowed me more traction. Still, he evaded me with each try - and all the while, his 'friend' kept screaming.

"In the end, though, I had to choose to continue the fight or flee with my life. The girl's screaming had attracted the attention of several people in the area. Before I realized it, no longer was Saki, or his friend, the only ones to see me! I was far too large for anyone not to notice me. Where I was a rat, the natural fear of the unknown alerted the crowd that something strange lived in their midst. My anger had clouded my judgment and now – I found myself in danger. More to the point, my foolishness had put my entire family in the same plight. Soon, a small crowd of people began to gather across the street, with my fight against Saki in full view of everyone."

"Wouldn't Shreddah be hesitant to fight like that, out in th'open and all?" Raphael asked, puzzled.

Chuckling, Splinter replied, "Under normal circumstances – yes. But, I was not normal and neither were my circumstances, Raphael. I was a very large – and very angry - rat, something that probably rivaled the myth about the alligator in the sewers. Saki was more in shock and acting surprised than thinking like a ninja. It would be his downfall eventually, of course, but that would not happen for many years.

"Realizing I had to escape, though, and before anyone came to their senses, I ran. I did what came naturally and slipped back into a storm drain a block away. However, some people were brave enough, or curious enough, to chase after me. It was quite frightening and it proved that I had made yet another mistake whose consequences could end our family. I should have never led anyone to where we lived, even into a storm drain. It was now obvious to those who witnessed where I went that I lived in the sewers.

"I tried to forget that event, knowing that Saki would probably avoid that part of New York, now, and that those living in the neighborhood would be on alert. As it was, a few nights later while scavenging, I was hiding behind some old boxes in an alley. I had sensed someone coming and so I took shelter there. It was then that I overheard the people passing by talk about how the city planned on conducting a thorough search of the sewers for the 'killer rat'. They had even talked about how city workers were baiting the sewers with poison!"

"Killer rat?" Raphael nearly guffawed. Yes, his father might have the ability to do such a thing, but he was not a killer – at least not one that would warrant such a title.

"Yes, I'm afraid that was my moniker for a while," Splinter sighed, "In fact, I remember they talked about how I was so big, normal foraging was not be enough to sustain me. According to the humans, I was now a man-eater. I guess, considering my battle with Saki, I would appear as such." Splinter chuckled a little, but then became more serious, "In any event, I knew I had to find a safer place to live. Where our lair was located might have provided a more plentiful source for food, it was far too close to humans for it to be safe.

"In the end, though, I had almost waited too long. There was a moment when we were almost discovered, and I had to expose myself deliberately to the 'hunters' in order to draw them away from our home. It was then when I realized that my temper – my anger – would ultimately destroy my family if I did not gain some measure of control over it."

"What happened, then; did they catch you?" Raphael asked, yawning tiredly and completely forgetting the obvious facts.

Splinter sighed and said patiently, and smiled just a little, "Think about what you just asked me, Raphael."

Raph looked up at his father, his eyes blurry from lack of sleep and his body tired from sitting for so very long. Suddenly, it occurred to him what he had just asked. Grinning sheepishly, Raphael replied, "Heh, sorry, Sensei, guess I kinda got caught up in th'story."

Chuckling, his father nodded, "Indeed!" and then continued, "Anyway, I succeeded in diverting the hunters away from where you and your brothers were. The next day, after several hours of searching for a better well-hidden lair, I led the four of you to safety. It took me a long while because you were four very young and very active chibis, but after many hours, we arrived safely at our new home.

"After that, I doubled my efforts to be careful when foraging. It took some time, but eventually the novelty of an oversize rat living in the sewers of New York City wore off. I know that several large rats had found some of the poisoned bait, for their rotting carcasses had piqued my senses and led me to them. Although their deaths had been painful, I hoped their sacrifice would dispel the myth of a giant rat. In the end, I believe that is what I think happened. After that time, I hardly saw anyone walking the tunnels.

"In any event, we stayed in our new lair unmolested for many years, that is, until we were forced to move again. But that's another story and one that you are well familiar with, Raphael." Splinter sighed and seemed to relax a bit more…and then waited, watching his son intently.

Raph, recognizing his father was done with the story, looked wearily up at the rat and asked, "So, what you're telling me is…" he paused, then, reflecting on what Splinter had shared, "Is that if I don't get control of my temper, it could…destroy us?"

Smiling wide, Splinter answered, "As well as you, my son, but, yes, that is correct." Then, he asked, his voice soft and caring, "Might you share with me why you woke up so angry, Raphael?"

Raph looked away in that moment, suddenly remembering why he was in his father's room to begin with. He wasn't sure how long he had been sitting, but it was obviously long enough to forget the event that found him there in the first place.

Finally, he muttered, "I wasn't asleep, Sensei, I was thinkin' about…how unfair it is that we have t'hide all the time. I…" he paused, swallowing a bit, and then admitted, "Case and I finished early last night and he wanted t'go home, but I didn't feel like comin' back to th'lair. I found myself wanderin' around, not havin' any particular place to go, an' after an hour or so, I…ran across a mugging."

"And…what did you do?" Splinter asked.

"I…didn't do anything, Sensei." Raph hung his head lower, now ashamed, "I left and…came home."

This was not his son's normal way of doing things and it bothered Splinter greatly. However, instead of chastising Raphael, Splinter simply asked, "Why did you do this?"

Raph looked up at his father, "It's all we're good for, Sensei, interruptin' these things, puttin' our lives in danger, havin' people we've rescued scream at us and throw things at us – even though we've saved them!" He shook his head, "I'm so tired of it, Master Splinter; seems such a waste because these people keep puttin' themselves in dangerous places." He suddenly threw his hands up in frustration, "I mean, what reasonable person would walk through an alley? It's New York City, for cry'n out loud; what idiot would do somethin' like that?" Raphael's anger found new energy and it was obvious to Splinter that his son was greatly upset.

"Raphael," Splinter said softly, "everyone has a purpose. Just because you have to hide and because most of those you rescue can't understand you or accept you, do not let their reactions guide yours."

Tightness wrapped around the turtle's chest, now, and his breathing deepened, hitching once as his emotions swelled. Tears pooled in his eyes and he looked away again, not wanting to expose his feelings, even to his father. One tear did manage to track along his right cheek, though, but he quickly wiped it away with the back of his hand.

However, Splinter didn't miss seeing it.

It was obvious to the rat that for Raphael not to intervene in the mugging disturbed him greatly. Yet, considering all that Raphael had just shared with him, Splinter understood his son's feeling of futility. Still, maybe in that way Raphael had learned a lesson. Although collateral damage was not acceptable or honorable, sometimes making mistakes, such as what his son had obviously done, did more good than not. Splinter then he told him, "Raphael, you must forgive yourself."

"I can't…I can't forgive myself, Sensei! I left him there, to get beaten up, robbed, and maybe even…I just…left him there…helpless!" He looked up at his father now, his eyes pleading and no longer weary. The inner fire that fueled Raphael's rage now turned inwardly, devouring the arrogance and confidence so akin to his personality. "How…could I have done that? It's not how you've trained me, trained us…I acted…" he swallowed, not even wanting to utter the word, yet seemingly helpless not to, "…dishonorable!" Raphael hung his head, now. His breathing hitched once more as another tear trailed its way down his cheek.

Splinter sighed and leaned forward. He gently laid a paw on his son's shoulder and in this way caused the turtle to look back up at him. The rat then implored, "Raphael, do not berate yourself like this. It is enough that you know what you did was wrong." He then questioned, "You made a mistake, yes, but I highly doubt you will repeat it?"

Giving an eager negative shake of his head, Raphael replied, "No, never again, Sensei, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I start doing things like that all the time."

"It is not what I trained you for, my son and your training is stronger than how you feel about rejection. Yes, you will probably face many more rejections, but it is far better to endure that, than ignoring those too weak to defend themselves." Splinter then sat back on his bed, smiling just a little, "Still, trashing your bedroom and waking the family like you did was not very productive."

Raphael blushed and swallowed, before shrugging, "No, I guess it wasn't."

"Indeed," the rat said dryly, "From now on, Raphael, if you are ever 'distraught' like that again, please use the dojo for such matters." He smiled, "Otherwise, I will have a longer story for you to listen to."

Raphael groaned and squirmed, hoping his tail wouldn't fall off, since by now he was certain all circulation in it had ceased.

Splinter then chuckled, "Tomorrow night, however, you will accompany your brother, Donatello, to the junk yard and find replacements for the items you broke."

Raphael groaned yet again, because going with Donnie to any junk yard meant packing back to the lair a truckload of anything his smarter brother deemed worthy. And if Don had an escort, he certainly took full advantage of them.

Splinter then said, "Come now, Raphael, it is late – or early, as the case may be – but there is still enough time to catch a couple of hours of sleep – and I was serious about morning practice!"

Although not surprised by his father's insistence to keep to their normal schedule, Raphael sighed then, "Don't know if I can sleep, Sensei," Raph admitted sadly, "I'm still feeling awful for leavin' that man t'get beaten up."

"Then I would suggest meditating once you return to your room," Splinter advised, "You cannot change what happened, my son, so it is best to leave it where it is – in the past. In this way, you can prepare for the here and now and for what may be tomorrow." The rat eased off his bed and, in so doing, gave his son permission to rise.

Unfortunately, Raphael was correct in on thing, that his tail was indeed numb. He groaned when he realized it, grating at the way his tail flopped around now. Still, at the very least, he was glad that Mikey was asleep and would miss the opportunity to tease him.

At least, he hoped so.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

A/N – And now you all know the reason behind the title.

Additionally, I know that some of you might see Splinter as a bit OOC, but keep in mind that this is early in his transformation. I highly doubt that he would instantly become a ninja master, especially where his body is making such extraordinary changes. I am also certain that Splinter made errors in judgment which showed him what not to do, as much as what TO do. Any good parent will learn from their mistakes, as well as successes, and use these nuggets of hard-earned wisdom in raising children. The problem is, many parents make the mistake of appearing 'perfect' and in that way, close themselves off from effective parenting. I have openly shared with my own children the mistakes I've made in life, so that they will know that imperfection is part of being human. I can no more expect them to be perfect, than they should expect me to. I believe that Splinter is wise enough to know this truth.

Also, Raphael might seem OOC, as well, with his admittance with leaving a mugging uninterrupted. Considering how he is concerning the human race, I think he might get tired of having to 'come to the rescue' all the time, especially if the only reward for his troubles is a lot of screaming. Yet, realizing what he did might weigh on him terribly – and cause him to react as he did in the first chapter. It's all fiction, anyway, folks, but, still, these stories take on a life of their own, don't they:0)